Chapter Text
They were here again. One last time, Dallas had promised. Ponyboy tugged at his tank top as he walked into the stale whiteness of the hospital, stretching it out.
When Pony said he was bored and wanted to go somewhere, this wasn’t exactly what he meant. Dally had dragged him to the car and managed to convince him that this wouldn’t be bad at all, in fact, it would be kinda cool. He was finally getting his cast off, which Pony was grateful for, because it reminded him all too much of that fire. And the fire reminded him of…
…
Well, at least he was getting it removed finally.
“C’mon, punk. Heard they use some kinda saw to get it off, ain’t that cool?” Dallas boasted as they walked in. Pony nodded feebly.
Sanitizer hit his nose immediately, making him feel a bit dizzy, combined with the fact that everything was just so fucking bright. Dallas blinked too, but recovered quickly. Pony sat down in a chair as Dally checked in.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A patient's heart monitor.
Someone mumbled over the speaker above him.
A wheelchair squeaked somewhere to the left.
Soft mumbles. A kid laughing. Someone crying.
Pony crying.
He didn’t realize it, but hot tears had welled up and he had hunched over, shaking.
Everything.
Everything reminded him of Johnny. Johnny, raspy voice. Johnny, smile fading. Johnny… dying. Dead.
Hands met his shaking shoulders, firm and rough against his bare arms. “Hey, hey, kid. Hey. Look at me.” Dallas took Pony’s chin and lifted his head up. “Deep breaths. Stay. I’m gonna call Darry to come get ya.”
Pony groaned, but was panicking too much to worry a lot about an oncoming interrogation from his older brother. He sniffled as Dally retracted and made his way to the phone strung on the wall.